1G. 


POLYGAMY: 

WAS  IT  AN  ORIGINAL  TENET  OF  THE  CHURCH 

OF  JESUS  CHRIST  OF  LATTER  DAY  SAINTS] 


BY  ALEXANDER  H.  SMITH. 


Published  by  the  Reorganized  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter  Day  Saints, 


POLYGAMY: 

WAS  IT  AN  ORIGINAL  TENET  OF  THE 
CHURCH  ? 


CHAPTER    I. 

The  above  question  I  expect  to  ex- 

\  amine  in  some  of  its  bearings,  and  I 

know  of  no  better  way  of  testing  the 

I  matter  than  by  an  appeal  to  the  stand- 

f  ard  works  of  the  church,  viz  :  the  Book 

I  of  Mormon,  Doctrine  and  Covenants, 

\  and  Times  and  Seasons.     From  these  I 

shall  bring  my  testimonies,  and  show, 

'  if  I  can,  the  inconsistency  of  the   at- 

l  tempt  made  by  some,  to  foist  the  prin- 

[  eiple  upon  the  church,  as  a  God-given 

one,  under  the  claim  that  it  was  taught 

;  by  Joseph  Smith,  the  martyr. 

I  shall  not  attempt  to  reason   upon 
the  correctness,  or  incorrectness  of  the 
j,  principle,  from  the  Old  and  New  Testa- 
Lment  scriptures;  for  the   reason,  that 
my  brother,  David  H.  Smith,  has  pre- 
pared an  article  which  has  been  pub- 
lished in  pamphlet  form,  confining  him- 
:  self  principally  to  the  evidences  derived 
from  those  two  works. 

In    order,    properly    to    answer   the 
question,  it  will  be  necessary  for  me  to 
state  what  were,  and  are  now,  consider- 
:  ed  to  be  the  original  tenets  of  the  church, 
I  as  those  tenets  were  taught  in  the  days 
its   organization    by  the    martyred 
ophet. 
Those  tenets  will  be  found  in   the 


enumeration  of  the  following  principles : 

"  We  believe  in  God  the  Eternal 
Father,  and  in  his  Son  Jesus  Christ, 
and  in  the  Holy  Ghost." 

"  We  believe  that  men  will  be  pun- 
ished for  their  own  sins,  and  not  for 
Adam's  transgression," 

"  We  believe  that  through  the  Atone- 
ment of  Christ,  all  m^n  may  be  saved, 
by  obedience  to  the  laws  and  ordinances 
of  the  gospel." 

"  We  believe  those  ordinances  to  con> 
sist  of  the  following  fundamental  prin- 
ciples : 

"  FIRST. — Faith  in  God  and  in  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

"  SECOIST). — Repentance." 

"  THIRD. — Baptism,  by  immersion, 
for  the  remission  of  sin," 

"  FOURTH. — Laying  on  of  hands  for 
the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost." 

<;  FIFTH. — The  Lord's  supper." 

"  SIXTH. — Resurrection  of  the  body. 
That  the  dead  in  Christ  rise  first;  and 
that  the  rest  of  the  dead  will  not  live 
again  until  the  thousand  years  are 
ended." 

"  SEVENTH.  —  Eternal  judgment ; 
which  provides  that  men  shall  be 
judged,  rewarded,  or  punished,  accord- 
ing to  the  degree  of  good  or  evil  they 
shall  have  done." 

"  We  also  believe  that  a  man  musfc 
be  called  of  God,  and  ordained  by  the 
laying  on  of  the  hand?  of  those  who 


POLYGAMY. 


-are  in  authority,  to  entitle  him  to 
preach  the  Gospel  and  administer  in 
the  ordinances  thereof." 

••  We  believe  in  the  same  kind  of 
organization  that  existed  in  the  Primi- 
tive Church,  (i.  c.),  apostles,  prophets, 
•pastors,  teachers,  and  evangelists,  &c." 

••  We  believe  that  in  the  Bible  is 
contained  a  record  of  the  word  of  God 
so  i'ar  as  it  is  correctly  translated. 
That  the  canon  of  scripture  is  not  full ; 
but  that  God  by  his  Spirit  will  continue 
to  reveal  his  word  to  man  until  the  end 
of  time." 

"  We  believe  in  the  powers  and  gifts 
of  the  everlasting  gospel,  viz :  The 
u-itts  of  faith,  discerning  of  spirits, 
prophecy,  revelation,  visions,  healings, 
tongues,  and  the  interpretation  of 
tongues,  wisdom,  charity,  brotherly  love, 
Ac."  - 

••  We  believe  that  all  men  have  a  right 
to  worship  God  after  the  dictates  of 
their  own  conscience;  so  long  as  such 
-worship  does  not  infringe  upon  the 
rights  of  others,  or  conflict  with  the 
laws  of  the  land,  or  country  in  which 
they  may  live." 

"  We  believe  that  marriage  is  ordain- 
ed of  God  unto  man;  that  it  is  lawful 
for  him  to  have  one  wife,  and  that  he 
shall  love  her  with  all  his  heart,  and 
cleave  unto  her  and  none  rise." 

With  this  brief  summary  of  original 
tenets;  which  I  have  gleaned  from  the 
Bible,  Book  of  Mormon,  Doctrine  and 
Covenants,  and  other  standard  works  of 
the  church,  I  wilf  proceed  to  the  ex- 
amination of  the  text  books.  I  also 
state  here  to  avoid  comment,  that  "  we  i 
believe  in  the  Book  of  Mormon,  and  j 
the  Book  of  Doctrine  and  Covenants." 
The  first,  as  the  record  of  the  words  of 
(i  "1  to  the  people  that  once  dwelt 
on  (his  continent;  also  as  a  history  of 
that  people,  and  that  therein  is  revealed 
the  ''fullness  of  the  gospel."  In  the 
.latter,  is  contained  the  revelations  of 
'God  to  this  church.  In  these  last 
items  of  faith  we  are  sometimes  called  a 
deluded  and  deceived  people ;  but  the 


testimony  of  the  Spirit  is  so  great,  that 
we  have  established  our  faith  and  built 
our  hopes  of  eternal  salvation  on  their 
testimony.  In  connection  with  the 
Bible  they  are  our  foundation. 


CHAPTER    II. 

There  is  one  clause  of  my  statement 
concerning  our  faith  that  will  not  meet 
the  views  of  some  who  profess  to  be 
Latter  Day  Saints,  for  some  hold  to  the 
idea,  that  men  are,  by  the  Constitution 
of  the  United  States,  granted  the  right 
to  worship  God  according  to  the  dictates 
of  their  own  conscience,  irrespective  of 
the  laws  of  the  land.  To  such  I  say, 
that  a  careful  perusal  of  par.  4, 
sec.  112,  D.  &  C.,  (old  edition  110), 
which  reads ; 

"We  believe  that  religion  is  instituted  of 
G-od,  and  that  men  are  amenable  to  him,  and 
to  him  onry,  for  the  exercise  of  it,  unless  their 
religious  opinions  prompt  them  to  infringe  up- 
on the  rights  and  liberties  of  others;'' 

Also  par.  5,  sec.  58,  (old  18), 
"  Let  no  man  break  the  laws  of  the  land, 
for  he  that  keepeth  the  laws  of  God  hath  no 
need  to  break  the  laws  of  the  land; " 

May  change  their  minds  on  that 
point.  The  one  is  the  declared  faith  of 
the  church;  the  other  a  direct  com- 
mand of  God.  As  the  Book  of 
Mormon  is  the  first  mentioned  testator 
we  will  first  examine  it.  The  first 
chapter  of  the  Book  of  Jacob,  par.  4, 
reads. 

"  And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  the  people 
of  Nephi,  under  the  reign  of  the  second  king, 
began  to  grow  hard  in  their  hearts,  and  in- 
dulge themselves  somewhat  in  7/vVvW  prac- 
tices; such  as  like  unto  David  of  old,  desiring 
many  wives  and  concubines,  and  also  Solomon, 
his  son.11 

Here  is  one  testimony,  of  much  im- 
portance, showing  that  the  plural  wife 
system  is  condemned  as  a  wicked  prac- 
tice. The  enquiry  may  be  made,  who 
is  it  that  is  speaking  in  the  above  con- 
demnation of  the  principle?  We  are 
informed  that  it  was  Jacob,  brother  to 
Nephi,  and  that  he  received  his  teach- 
ings in  the  temple,  "and  first  obtained 


POLYGAMY. 


his  errand  from  the  Lord  ;"  his  author- 
ity is  therefore  good,  and  he  calls  this 
thing  a  wicked  practice.  If  it  is  a 
wicked  practice,  then  it  is  not  of  God. 
Notwithstanding  his  declaration  of  this 
inspired  writer's  disapproval  of  the 
practice  of  polygamy,  much  stress  is 
laid  upon  the  history  written  concern- 
ing David  and  Solomon  in  the  holy 
scriptures.  The  following  from  the 
Book  of  Jacob,  second  chapter,  par.  6, 
should  set  this  matter  forever  at  rest, 
1  in  the  mind  of  every  man  who  reads  it; 

i;  And  were  it  not  that  I  must  speak  unto 

:  you   concerning    a    grosser  crime,   my   heart 

would   rejoice  exceedingly   because   of   you. 

;  But  the  word  of  God  burdens  me  because  of 

(  your  grosser  crimes.     For,  behold,  thus  saith 

the  Lord,  this  people  begin  to  wax  in  iniquity; 

!  they  understand  not  the  scriptures,  for  they 

seek  to   excuse    themselves    in    committing 

whoredoms,  because  of  the  things  which  were 

written  concerning  David  and  Solomon,  his 

son.     Behold,  David  and  Solomon,  truly  had 

|  many    wives    and    concubines,   which  thing 

I  was  abominable  before  me  saith  the  Lord." 

However  much  we  try  to  think  they 

i  did  no  wrong,  and  seek  to  excuse  them, 

!  the  Lord  himself  here  says  the  prin- 

I  ciple  is  an   abomination   in   his  sight 

,  This  alone  should  forever  silence  the 

tongue  of  the  caviler  on  the  subject  of 

i  David  and  his  son ;  for  a  "  Thus  saith 

\  the  Lord."  through  a  legitimate  chan- 

;  nel.  is  the  end  of  all  controversy;  for 

he  •'  Doth  not  vary  from  that  which  he 

hath  said."     Book  of  Covenants,  sec. 

2.  par.  1.  (old  edition  17). 

We  will  now  make  answer  to  the  ar- 
gument, "  That  the   principle   of  poly- 
gamy  was  given  to  raise  up  a  righteous 
j  seed." 

As  we   are  informed  by  revelation 
'  that, 

"God  doth  not  walk  in  crooked  paths; 
neither  doth  he  turn  to  the  right  hand  nor  to 
the  left;  neither  doth  he  vary  from  that  which 
he  hath  said;  therefore  his  paths  are  straight 
and  his  course  is  one  eternal  round."  Doc.  & 
Ifcov.  2:1,  (old  edition  sec.  30.) 

We  can  easily  ascertain  whether  the 
ve  argument  holds  good  or  not. 
Ta   the  same  Book   of   Jacob   from 


which  we  have  been  quoting,  par.  6. 

"  Wherefore,  thus  saith  the  Lord,  I  have  led 
this  people  forth  out  of  the  land  of  Jerusalem, 
by  the  power  of  mine  arm,  that  I  might  raise 
up  unto  me  a  righteous  branch  from  the  fruit 
of  the  loins  of  Joseph.  Wherefore,  I,  the 
Lord,  will  not  suffer  that  this  people  shall  do 
like  unto  them  of  old,  i.  e.,  (David  and  Solo- 
mon.) Wherefore  my  brethren,  hear  me,  and 
hearken  to  the  word  of  the  Lord:  for  there 
shall  riot  any  man  among  you  have  save  it  be 
one  wife:  and  concubines  he  shall  have  none." 

In  this  pointed  and  direct  command 
of  God,  with  the  instruction  that  this 
He  did  for  the  express  purpose  of  rais- 
ing up  a  righteous  branch,  we  see  God's 
way ;  and  it  so  coincides  with  the  cases 
of  Adam  and  Noah,  and  what  is  cited 
by  the  prophet  Malachi,  that  we  are 
bound  to  accept  God's  way  in  prefer- 
ence to  man's  wisdom.  From  the  same 
paragraph ; 

"  Wherefore,  this  people  shall  keep  my  com- 
mandments, saith  the  Lord  of  hosts,  or  cursed 
be  the  land  for  their  sakes.  For  if  I  will, 
saith  the  Lord  of  hosts,  raise  up  seed  unto- 
me,  I  will  command  my  people:  otherwise* 
they  shall  hearken  unto  these  things.'' 

Ah  !  Now  you  have  it  says  one  who- 
holds  to  the  principle  of  polygamy,  " 
there  the  Lord  says  he  will  command 
his  people  to  have  more  wives  than  one 
if  he  sees  fit  to  raise  a  righteous  seed, 
or  else  they  should  hearken  to  those 
things.  He  says  no  such  thing.  He 
has  commanded  his  people,  and  tells 
them  they  must  obey  him  or  he  would 
curse  the  land  for  their  sake,  and  that 
command  is  that  they  should  have  but 
one  wife  in  order  to  raise  a  righteous 
seed.  The  things  mentioned  that  they 
should  hearken  unto,  will  be  found  in 
the  continuance  of  the  paragraph,  for 
there  the  Lord  declares  that  he  has 
heard  the  cries  of  the  fair  daughters  of 
his  people,  and  he  will  not  withhold 
judgment,  and  will  visit  them  with  & 
sore  curse,  even  to  destruction,  if  they- 
repented  not  of  their  grosser  crime  of 
multiplying  wives  unto  themselves 
Here  let  me  say,  that  the  inspired 
writer,  Jacob,  makes  a  just  distinction 
between  the  crimes  of  pride  and  the 


POLYGAMY. 


oppression  of  the  poor,  and  that  of 
polygamy,  and  calls  the  latter  the 
*' grosser  crime." 

In  the  foregoing  command,  to  have 
but  one  wife,  we  see  an  example,  and  a 
striking  one  too.  of  the  manner  of  God's 
way  of  raising  up  a  righteous  seed. 

In  the  seventh  paragraph,  same  chap- 
ter, we  rend  that  God  gave  this  same 
commandment  to  Lehi;  consequently 
the  sin  of  Lehi's  posterity  was  the 
greater,  because  they  were  not  ignorant 
of  the  will  of  God  on  this  subject;  also 
in  th-"  ninth  paragraph,  same  chapter, 
we  are  told,  that  the  Nephites  had  made 
themselves  more  filthy  than  the  Laman- 
ites.  because  they  neglected  the  direct 
command  of  God,  and  the  Lamanites 
did  not  forget  it. 

The  Nephites  became  filthy  through 
their  disobedience  in  this  respect,  and 
were  swept  off  the  face  of  this  beauti- 
ful land  of  promise,  and  their  enemies 
possessed  their  inheritance.  Will  God 
visit  this  people  with  like  judgment? 
His  ways,  or  course,  is  one  eternal 
round.  If  they  repent  not,  he  most 
iis.sur.-dly  will ;  he  cannot  deny  himself. 

These  testimonies  are  not  all  that  can 
be  brought  from  the  Book  of  Mormon. 
If  any  should  desire  more,  let  them 
carefully  peruse  the  Book  of  Mosiah, 
seventh  chapter;  and  also  the  history 
of  th,'  iviii-n  of  Riplakish  found  in  the 
Birik  of  Mther.  fourth  chapter. 

From  the  foregoing  testimonies  it 
will  bo  SvKjii  that  the  principle  of  poly- 
gam  v  r.-Mi not  be  sustained  as  a  tenet  of 
tin-  <  hurcli  !Vo;:i  the  Book  of  Mormon ; 
but  to  the  contrary  it  is  positively 
prohibited  and  condemned  by  the  Lord 
God  himself. 

CHAPTER    III. 

There  is  another  clause  in  the  articles 

ith  that  some  may  not  approve  of, 

ami  s-.y.  it  was  not  the  original  doctrine 

f  the  martyr  before  his  death,  i.  e. 

Th  !  a  man  should  "have  one  wife  and 

love  her  with  all  his  heart  and  cleave 

unto  her  and  none  else." 


To  those  from  whom  I  may  differ  on 
this  point,  I  say,  come  with  me  to  the 
revelations  of  God,  given  through 
Joseph  the  Seer,  as  recorded  in  the 
Book  of  Covenants;  let  them  decide 
the  matter.  "  Let  God  be  true  and 
every  man  a  liar,"  sooner  than  destroy 
his  testimony,  or  doubt  his  word.  Sec. 
42,  par.  7;  (old  edition  sec.  13.) 

"  Thou  shaU  love  thy  wife,  [observe,  singular 
number]  with  all  thy  heart,  and  shall  ckaveunio 
her  and  none  else;  and  lie  that  looketh  upon  a 
woman  to  lust  after  her,  shall  deny  the  faith, 
and  shall  not  have  the  Spirit:  and  if  he  ye- 
pents  not,  lie  shall  be  cast  out.'' 

I  wish  it  understood,  that  the  above 
quotation  is  made  from  a  law  promised 
the  church  by  direct  commandment, 
for  the  express  purpose  that  the  Elders 
might  know  how  to  act  in  doctrine,  for 
the  purification  of  the  church  and  the 
redemption  of  Zion;  and  when  we 
consider  the  matter  in  this  light  we  can- 
not but  conclude,  that  the  prophet  un- 
derstood that  revelation  to  have  been 
given  for  a  law  to  the  church  so  long  as 
it  remained  a  church.  If  need  be  till 
the  coming  of  our  Savior.  But,  to 
make  assurance  doubly  sure,  in  sec.  65, 
old;  (49  new),  par.  3.  the  Lord 
makes  it  still  plainer  for  the  benefit  of 
his  ministry.  He  there  says, 

"And  again,  I  say  unto  you,  that  whoso 
forbiddeth  to  marry,  is  not  ordained  of  God,  for 
marriage  is  ondained  of  God  unto  man ;  where- 
fore  it  is  lawful  that  he  should  have  one 
wile,  [observe,  singular  number],  and  iliey 
twain  shall  be  one  flesh,  and  all  this  that  the 
earth  might  answer  the  end  of  its  creation; 
and  that  it  might  be  filled  with  the  measure  of 
man,  according  to  his  creation  before  the 
world  was  made." 

Here  it  is  plainly  stated  how  manv 
wives  would  be  lawful,  and  to  exceed 
this  number  would  be  a  gross  infringe- 
ment of  God's  direct  commandment, 
"Thou  shalt  not  have  SAVE  it  be  ONE 
wife;"  and  subject  the  transgressor  to 
the  decision  of  the  law,  which  is,  "if 
he  repents  not  he  shall  be  cast  out." 
This  revelation,  also  completely  explodes 
the  far-fetched  theory  of  Adam's  being 
a  polygamist  in  the  eternal  worlds  be- 


POLYGAMY. 


fore  lie  took  up  his  abode  on  this  earth, 
with  one  of  his  wives.     For  in  the  last 
clause,  man's  creation  before  the  world 
was  made,  was  one  man  for  one  woman, 
or  more  properly  speaking  one  woman 
for  one  man.     I  see  no  use  of  farther 
argument  in  regard  to  this  theory,  for 
when  God  so  plainly  states  the  facts  in  \ 
the  case,  it  sets  the  matter  at  rest  with  j 
me. 

There  is  one  more  testimony  to  be  • 
brought  from  the  Book  of  Covenants  ;  | 
the  article  on  marriage  found  in  sec.  ; 
109,  old  edition;  111.  new  edition. 
par.  2.  Observe  the  marriage  covenant  ; 
made  by  the  parties  being  married ; ! 

"You    both    mutually   agree   t.o   be    each  ! 
others  companion,  husband  arid  wife,  observ- 
ing the  legal  rights  belonging  to  this  condition; 
that  is.  keeping  yourselves  wholly  for  each 
other,  and  from  all  others  during  your  lives.1' 

Again,  paragraph  4  j 

"Inasmuch  as  this  church  of  Christ  has 
been  reproached  with  the  crime  of  fornication 
and  polygamy:  we  declare  that  we  believe, 
that  one  man  should  have  one  wife;  and  one 
woman  but  one  husband." 

"Ah  my  friends,"  says  the  polygam- 
ist,  ';  there  you  see  that  the  law  provides 
that  the  woman  should  have  BUT  one 
husband,  and  leaves  the  man  at  liberty. 
He  should  have  one,  but  it  does  not  say 
he  shall  not  have  more."  Let  me  finish 
the  sentence  as  it  reads,  "Except  in 
case  of  death,  when  either  is  at  liberty 
to  marry  again."  According  to  this 
declaration,  the  only  chance  for  a  man 
to  marry  the  second  wife  in  keeping 
with  this  law,  is  after  the  death  of  his 
first  one. 

It  is  stated  that  Brigham  Young 
said,  in  the  New  Tabernacle,  in  Salt 
Lake  City.  Utah,  last  conference,  (1869), 
before  the  whole  church,  that  Oliver 
Cowdery  had  that  article  on  marriage 

5ut  in  the  book  directly  contrary  to  Br. 
oseph's  express  wishes,  and  so  it  has 
no  business  to  be  there  and  is  not 
binding  on  us.  I  challenge  the  state- 
ment of  Pres.  Young,  or  any  other, 
who  may  hold  such  an  opinion.  It  has 
a  right  there  and  is  binding  on  all  the 


the  church  who  believe  in  the  teachings 
of  Joseph  Smith  the  martyr.  In  the 
first  place ; 

"  At  a  general  assembly  of  the  church  at 
Kirtland,  August  17.  1835,  the  Book  of  Cove- 
nants was  accepted  as  the  rule  of  faith  and 
practice." — Compendium,  Irv  F.  D.  Richards, 
page  224. 

This  statement  is  taken  from  the 
history  of  the  church,  by  their  own 
authorities.  On  page  939,  J 
Seasons,  vol.  3.  the  whole  article  on 
marriage  is  copied,  with  the  following 
note  of  the  editor  also  inserted,  which 
is  very  significant  testimony,  consider- 
ing who  the  editor  was  at  that  time. 
October  1st.  1S42.  Joseph  Smith  him- 
self being  editor.  1  copy,  verbatim^ 
the  note  ;  the  certificates  of  some  dozen 
of  the  influential  men  of  the  church  at 
that  time ;  and  also,  the  certificates  of 
nineteen  of  the  first  and  most  influen- 
tial women  of  the  church  of  that  day. 
I  do  this  for  three  reasons. 

First. — To  rebut  the  story  of  Brig- 
ham  Young  in  the  Tabernacle. 

Second. — To  prove  the  law  to  be 
valid  and  of  full  force  in  the  Prophet's 
time. 

Third. — To  rebut  some  affidavits  of 
some  who  have  sworn  that  a  different 
marriage  ceremony  was  known  and 
practiced  as  early  as  1840. 

The    note    of    the    editor     (Joseph 

Smith)  reads  thus: 

u  We  have  given  the  above  rule  of  marriage 
as  the  only  one  practiced  iu  this  chureh.  to 
show  that  Dr.  J.  C.  Bennett's  secret  wi 
tern  is  a  matter  of  his  own  manufacture:  and 
furtiier.  to  disabuse  the  public  car.  and  show 
that  the  said  Bennett  and  his  misanthropic 
friend,  Origen  Bachelor,  are  perpetrating  a 
foul  and  infamous  slander  upon  an  innocent 
people,  and  need  but  be  known  to  be  hated 
and  despised." 

In  support  of  this  position  we  present 
the  following  certificates. 

"  We  the  undersigned,  members  of  the 
Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter  Day  Saints, 
and  residents  of  the  City  of  Xauvoo.  persona 
of  families,  do  hereby  certify  and  declare,  that 
we  know  of  no  other  rule  or  system  of  mar- 
riage than  the  one  published  from  the  Book  of 
Doctrine  and  Covenants,  and  we  give  this 


6 


POLYGAMY. 


certificate  to  show,  that  Dr.  J.  C.  Bennett's 
secret  wife  system  is  a  creature  of  his  own 
make,  as  we  know  of  no  such  society  in  this 
place,  nor  never  did.  S.  Bennett,  Geo.  Miller, 
Alpheus  Cutler,  Reynolds  Gaboon,  Wilson 
Law,  Wilford  Woodruff,  X.  K.  Whitney,  Albert 
Petty.  Kli;ts  Uigbee,  John  Taylor.  E.  Robinson,  j 
Aaron  Johnson." 

I  also  give  the  fallowing : 

u  We  the  undersigned,  members  of  the  ' 
Ladies'  Relief  Society,  and  married  females,  do  j 
certify  and  declare,  that  we  know  of  no  sys-  i 
tern  of  marriage  being  practiced  in  the  Church  j 
of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter  Day  Saints,  save  the  ': 
one  contained  in  the  Book  of  Doctrine  and  ; 
Covenants;  and  we  give  this  certificate  to  the  ' 
public,  to  show  that  J.  C.  Bennett's  secret  J 
wife  system  is  a  disclosure  of  his  own  make. 
Emma  Smith.  President;  Elizabeth  Ann  Whit-  j 
ney,  Counselor;  Sarah  M.  Cleveland,  Coun-  j 
selor;  Eliza  R.  Snow,  Secretary;  Mary  C.  Mil- 1 
ler,  Lois  Cutler,  Thyrza  Gaboon,  Ann  Hunter,  | 
Jane  Law.  Sophia  R.  Marks,  Polly  Z.  Johnson,  I 
Abigail  Works.  ( 'atherine  Petty,  Sarah  Higbee, 
Phebe  Woodruff,  Leonora  Taylor,  Sarah  Hill-  ' 
man,  Rosarmah  Marks,  Angeline  Robinson." 

From  the  above  testimonies  I  draw 
the  conclusion,  that  some  affidavits 
lately  taken  in  Salt  Lake  City  are  false ; 
and  were  made  to  deceive  the  people, 
and  lead  them  further  into  disgrace  and 
condemnation. 

We  also  learn  another  fact  from  the 
above  certificates  and  testimonies,  viz : 
That  in  the  brain  of  J.  C.  Bennett  was 
conceived  the  idea,  and  in  his  practice 
was  the  principle  first  introduced  into 
the  church ;  and  from  this  hellish  egg 
was  hatched  the  present  degrading,  de- 
basing, and  destructive  polygamic  sys- 
tem, known  as  "spiritual  wifery,"  or 
the  "celestial  marriage,"  so  called. 

It  is  said  that  Joseph  Smith,  the 
martyr,  received  a  revelation  revealing 
the  •'  celestial  marriage"  and  instituting 
"plurality  of  wives."  I  have  already 
examined  the  testimony  of  Joseph 
Smith,  concerning  the  marriage  cere- 
mony;  and  he  declares  that  he  knew 
of  no  other  system  of  marriage  than 
the  one  quoted  from  the  Book  of  Doc- 
trine and  Covenants,  on  October  1st, 
1842,  those  affidavits  to  the  contrary, 
notwithstanding.  In  Times  and  Seasons 
vol.  5,  page  423,  I  find  the  testimony 


of  both  Hyrum  and  Joseph,  in  a  notice 
given  to  the  church  and  the  public, 
February  1st,  1844. 

"  NOTICE. 

"  As  we  have  lately  been  credibly  informed 
that  an  Elder  of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ 
of  Latter  Day  Saints,  by  the  name  of  Hyram 
Brown,  has  been  preaching  polygamy  and 
other  false  and  corrupt  doctrines,  in  the 
County  of  Lapeer.  State  of  Michigan.  This 
is  to  notify  him,  and  the  church  in  general, 
that  he  has  been  cut  off  from  the  church  for 
his  iniquity;  and  he  is  further  notified  to  ap- 
pear at  the  special  conference,  on  the  6th  of 
April  next,  to  make  answer  to  these  charges. 
Signed.  Joseph  Smith  and  Hyrum  Smith, 
presidents  of  said  church." 

But  says  one,  "that  was  only  a  sham 
to  blind  the  eyes  of  our  enemies." 
Shame  on  the  man.  or  set  of  men,  who 
will  thus  wilfully  charge  the  two  best 
men  of  the  nineteenth  century,  the  two 
Prophets  of  the  most  high  God,  with 
publishing  to  the  church  and  the  public 
at  large  a  lie,  and  signing  their  names 
to  it. 

"Oh  !  but  it  was  done  to  save  their 
lives."  A  very  likely  story,  when 
those  two  men  had  faced  death  and  the 
world  for  fourteen  long  years,  preaching 
the  word  of  God  to  a  sin-cursed  genera- 
tion. No,  no,  it  will  not  not  do,  you 
must  meet  the  truth  with  better  wea- 
pons than  that,  if  you  expect  to  make 
much  of  a  battle.  Besides  all  that. 
Is  it  not  written,  that  "  He  who  seek- 
eth  to  save  his  life  shall  lose  it,  and  he 
who  loseth  his  life  for  my  sake  shall 
find  it,"  and  did  not  they  know  this. 
Yes,  a  thousand  times  yes  ;  it  was  their 
hope,  their  consolation  in  times  of 
danger. 

To  return  to  the  written  testimony 
found  in  the  Tfnifs  and  Seasons  con- 
cerning the  principle,  and  its  having 
been  taught  in  the  days  of  the  martyrs' 
lives.  I  now  quote  a  letter  of  Hyrum 
Smith,  Times  and  Seasons,  vol.  5,  page 
474. 

"NATJVOO,  March  8,  1844. 
"To  the  brethren  of  the   Church  of  Jesus 
Christ  of  Latter  Day  Saints,  living  on  China 
Creek,  in  Hancock  County,  greeting : — Where- 
as, Brother  Richard  Hewitt  has  called  on  me 


POLYGAMY. 


to-day,  to  know  my  views  concerning  some 
-doctrines  that  are  preached  in  your  place,  and 
states  to  me  that  some  of  your  Elders  say, 
that  a  man  having  a  certain  priesthood  may 
have  as  many  wives  as  lie  pk'uses.  and  that 
doctrine  is  taught  here.  I  say  unto  you  that 
that  man  teaches  false  doctrine,  for  there  is  no 
such  doctrine  taught  here,  neither  is  there  any 
such  thing  practiced  here.  And  any  man  that 
is  found  teaching,  privately  or  publicly,  any 
.such  doctrine  is  culpable,  and  will  stand  a 
chance  to  be  brought  before  the  high  council, 
and  lose  his  license,  and  membership  also; 
therefore,  he  had  better  beware  what  he  is 
about." 

In  this  letter  we  have  Hyrum  Smith's 
•protest  against  the  principle ;  also,  the 
fact,  that  he  calls  it  B,  false  doctrine,  yet 
it  is  said  that  it  was  necessary  for  those 
men  to  lie  in  order  to  save  their  lives. 
Nonsense !  Did  those  men  lie  to  save 
their  lives  in  the  bringing  forth  of  the 
Book  of  Mormon  ?  Did  they  lie  and 
deny  their  faith  to  save  their  lives  in 
Liberty  jail,  Mo.  ?  No!  never!  and  it 
is  a  base  subterfuge  of  lies  to  say  so ; 
and  is  only  done  to  excuse  men  in  their 
abominations,  and  is  as  mean  and  low  a 
retreat  as  a  sin-stained  master  could 
wish  his  followers  to  enter.  I  have 
now  given  Joseph's  and  Hyrum's  own 
testimony,  up  to  about  three  months 
before  their  death  ;  and  they  positively 
declare 'it  to  be  &  false  and  corrupt  doc- 
triw.  I  am  sure  I  would  rather  be- 
lieve them,  than  many  of  the  old 
woman's  tales  we  hear  so  much  of,  of 
late. 

CHAPTER    IV. 

Now,  having  shown  that  up  to  the 
time  of  their  death,  the  two  martyrs 
bore  public  testimony  that  the  principle 
of  polygamy  was  not  sanctioned  nor 
taught  in  the  church,  and  that  it  WMS  a 
false  doctrine,  I  come  to  the  conclusion 
that  it  it  was  not  an  original  tenet  of 
the  church  under  their  teaching.  But 
says  an  objecter  "What about  the  reve- 
lation that  Joseph  Smith  received  on 
the  subject."  The  stories  about  that 
article  are  so  numerous,  and  so  conflict- 
ing, that  I  do  not  believe  that  he  ever 
received  a  revelation  from  God  on  the 


matter.  The  very  fact  that  so  much 
strong  testimony  had  been  produced, 
and  did  exist,  as  we  have  shown  from 
the  Book  of  Mormon,  and  Doctrine 
and  Covenants,  satisfies  me  that  it  is 
folly  for  any  sane  man  to  think  that 
Joseph  Smith  needed  to  ask  God  con- 
cerning a  matter  that  his  will  was  so 
plainly  manifest  on  as  the  one  in  hand. 
There  are  those  who  say  that  the  reve- 
lation "  was  received  over  a  five  gallon- 
keg  of  whiskey."  There  are  those  who 
say  "  the  original  one  was  burned." 
There  are  others  who  say  "  it  was  a 
copy  that  was  burned } "  but  strange  to 
say,  they  all  say,  "that  it  was  burned," 
and  all  seem  to  agree  that  one  person 
burned  if  It  is  evident  that  a  sup- 
posed copy  of  a  revelation  has  been 
palmed  off  upon  the  people,  by  a 
designing  set  of  men,  who  have  cer- 
tainly lost  the  priesthood  they  once 
held,  and  have  made  money  and  women 
their  only  pleasure,  that  they  might 
gratify  to  the  fullest  extent  their  lust- 
ful desires  and  wicked  purposes.  For 
the  evidence  concerning  the  revelation 
which  so  much  has  been  staked  upon  : 
according  to  their  own  testimony,  they 
only  have  a,  copy,  written  from  memory, 
which,  it  is  said,  was  locked  up  in  some 
one'  desk  for  nine  long  years,  and  only 
those  most  in  confidence  with  the  pre- 
siding head  could  enjoy  the  privilege 
granted  by  it.  The  very  first  clause  of 
the  supposed  revelation  is  a  direct  con- 
tradiction of  the  Book  of  Mormon,  for 
that  book  says,  David's  and  Solomon's 
many  wives  were  an  abomination  to  the 
Lord  ;  whereas  the  revelation  justifies 
them  in  their  acts  in  this  particular. 
It  is  also  a  contradiction  of  the  gospel 
plan  of  salvation,  inasmuch  as  it  pur- 
ports to  be  a  new  and  everlasting  cove- 
nant, as  "  all  those  who  have  this  law 
revealecLunto  them  must  obey  the  same, 
for  behold  I  reveal  unto  you  a  new  and 
everlasting  covenant,  and  if  ye  abide 
not  in  that  covenant,  then  are  ye 
damned,  for  no  one  can  reject  this  cov- 
enant and  be  permitted  to  enter  into 


8 


POLYGAMY 


my  glory."  Jesus  says.  "He  that  be- 
lieveth  and  is  baptized  shall  be  saved, 
and  he  that  believeth  not  shall  be 
damned,"  and  does  not  mention  the  so- 
called  celestial  marriage,  and  as  it 
comes  so  directly  in  contact  with  Jesus 
Christ  and  his  gospel,  we  cannot  but 
brand  it  as  the  doctrine  of  the  adver- 
sary. 

Should  we  admit  the  truth  of  this  so- 
called  revelation,  there  is  not  a  man  on 
earth,  neither  has  there  been  since  the 
death  of  the  martyr,  who  holds  the  keys 
to  administer  the  ordinances  of  celestial 
marriage  according  to  the  revelation  it- 
self, for  it  is  stated  emphatically  that 
"  There  is  never  but  one  on  the  earth  at 
a  time  on  whom  this  power  and  the  keys 
of  this  priesthood  are  conferred."  So  by 
their  own  witness  they  are  condemned. 
For  Brigham  Young  has  time  and  again 
said  he  was  not  a  4>  prophet  nor  the  son 
of  a  prophet/'  and  nona  but  a  prophet 
can  hold  the  keys  of  this  priesthood. 
I  give  one  more  feature  of  the  beauti- 
ful document. 

u  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  if  a  man 
marry  a  wife  according  to  ray  word  and  they 
are  sealed  by  the  Holy  Spirit  of  promise  ac- 
cording to  mine  appointment,  and  he  or  she 
shall  commit  any  sin  or  transgression  of  the 
new  and  everlasting  covenant  whatever,  and 
all  manner  of  blasphemies,  and  if  they  com- 
mit no  murder  whereby  they  shed  innocent 
blood,  yet  shall  they  come  forth  in  the  first 
resurrection  and  enter  into  their  exaltation." 

Here  is  license  given  to  any  one  who 
enters  this  system  of  things  to  lie,  steal, 
bear  false  witness,  use  the  name  of 
God  in  vain,  blaspheme  at  will,  and  do 
all  manner  of  wickedness  except  the 
shedding  of  innocent  blood,  and  by 
them  taught,  if  a  man  be  a  Gentile 
and  unconverted,  his  blood  is  not  inno- 
cent, he  is  a  sinner,  consequently  there 
is  no  crime  in  killing  him ;  provided. 
that  you  have  a  wife  or  two  sealed  to 
you  by  the  holy  celestial  kn&.  This 
clause  alone  should  reveal  its  origin. 

This  article  purports  to  have  been 
irhvn  July  12th,  1843.  Joseph  Smith 
pronounces  the  principle  a  false  and 


corrupt  one  in  February,  1844.  and 
cuts  a  man  off  from  the  church  for 
teaching  it.  "  Consistency,  thou  art  a 
jewel,"  which  is  not  found  in  that  so- 
called  revelation. 

I  shall  now  show  by  the  church  pub- 
lications, that  after  the  year  1844.  the 
church  did  most  emphatically  deny  the 
doctrine  of  polygamy.  In  an  article 
written  ( Times  and  Seasons  vol.  5, 
page  715)  by  an  old  man  of  Israel, 
and  endorsed  by  the  Editor  as  genuine, 
on  page  711. 

'•The  saints  of  the  last  days  have  witnessed 
the  outgoings  and  incomings  of  so  many 
apo-iate-?  that  nothing  but  truth  lias  any  effect 
upon  them.  In  the  present  instance,  after  the 
sham  quotations  of  Sidney  and  his  clique, 
from  the  Bible.  Book  of  Mormon,  and  Doctrine 
and  Covenants,  to  skulk  oft',  under  the  dread- 
ful splendor  of  'spiritual  wifery'  which  is 
brought  into  the  account  as  graciously  as  if 
the  law  of  the  land  allowed  a  man  a  plurality 
of  wives,  is  fiendish.  *  *  *  "VVo  to  the 
man  or  men  who  will  thus  wilfully  lie  to  in- 
jure an  innocent  people.  The  law  c.i'the  land 
and  the  rules  of  the  church  do  not  ;il!ow  one 
man  to  have  more  than  one  wife  ai'.vc  at  once, 
but  if  any  man's  wife  die,  he  has  a  ri<iht  to 
marry  another,  and  to  be  sealed  to  both  for 
eternity;  to  the  living  and  the  dead.  There 
is  no  law  of  God  or  man  against  it.  This  is 
all  the  spiritual  wife  system  that  ever  was  tol- 
erated in  the  church  and  they  know  it." 

Dated,  November  15th,  1844;  five 
months  after  the  martyrdom. 

May  1st,  1845,  John  Taylor  writes; 

"For  once  let  us  say  that  Cain  who  went  to 
Nod  and  taught  the  doctrine  of  a  plurality  o" 
wives,  and  the  giant  who  practiced  the  same 
iniquity,  and  Nimrod  who  practiced  the  com- 
mon stock  system,  and  the  Jews  who  com- 
menced crossing  sea  and  land  to  make 
proselytes  without  revelation;  and  the  Chris- 
tian sects  who  have  wwit  all  lengths  to  build 
up  churches  and  multiplying  systems  without 
authority  from  .God  are  all  co-workers  on  the 
same  plan.  When  the  reward  for  e\vry  man's 
work  is  given,  this  will  be  the  everlasting 
answer  to  all  sects,  sorts  and  conditions,  from 
Cain  down  to  Christian  Israelites.  I  never 
knew  you.'1 — Times  and  Seasons  vol.  6,  p.  888. 

On  page  894,  same  volume,  is  an 
article  copied  from  the  Kalamazoo 
(Mich.)  Gazette,  and  published  in 
Times  and  Seasons,  written  by  E.  M. 


POLYGAMY. 


9 


Webb,  then  an  elder  in  the  church. 

"The  Latter  Day  Saints  are  charged  by 
their  enemies  with  the  blackest  crimes. 
Treason,  murder,  theft,  polygamy,  and  adultery, 
are  among  the  many  crimes  laid  to  their  charge. 
*  *  *  Mr.  Rigdon's  spiritual  wife  system 
was  never  known  till  it  was  hatched  by  J.  C. 
Bennett  who  was  cut  off  from  the  church  for 
seduction.  As  to  the  charge  of  polygamy,  I 
will  quote  from  the  Doctrine  and  Covenants 
which  is  the  subscribed  faith  of  the  church 
and  is  strictly  enforced.  Article  on  marriage, 
sec.  109.  par.  4.  'Inasmuch  as  this  church 
of  Christ  has  been  reproached  with  the  crime 
of  fornication  and  polygamy,  we  declare  that 
we  believe  that  one  man  should  have  but  one 
wife  and  one  woman  but  one  husband;  except 
in  case  of  death  when  either  is  at  liberty  to 
.marry  again/  " 

Also  sec.  42,  par.  7,  (old  ed.  13). 

"Thou  shalt  love  thy  wife  with  all  thy 
heart  and  cleave  unto  her  and  none  else.11 

This  was  given  to  the  public  in  May, 
1845,  eleven  months  after  Joseph's 
death. 

One  more  quotation  from  the  Times 
and  Seasons,  and  I  shall  draw  this  al- 
ready lengthy  article  to  a  close.  On 
page  955,  vol.  6,  Brighain  Young  him- 
self sets  forth  the  spiritual  wife  system 
as  taught  at  that  period. 

UI  would  say,  as  no  man  can  be  perfect 
without  the  woman,  so  no  woman  can  be  per- 
fect without  a  man  to  lead  her.  I  tell  you 
the  truth  as  it  is  in  the  bosom  of  eternity,  and 
I  say  to  every  man  upon  the  face  of  the  earth, 
if  he  wishes  to  be  saved,  he  cannot  be  saved 
without  a  woman  by  his  side.  This  is  spirit- 
ual wifeism,  that  is  the  dictrine  of  spiritual 
wives." 

From  the  foregoing,  we  learn  what 
tiie  principle  of  spiritual  or  celestial 
wifeism  was,  as  taught  by  the  church 
after  the  death  of  the  prophets,  with 
the  contradiction  of  the  principle  as 
now  taught  in  Utah  •  and  from  these 
testimonies  we  conclude  that  polygamy 
is  not  now,  nor  never  was  a  tenet  of  the 


true  church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter 
Day  Saints. 

In  answer  to  the  assertion  so  fre- 
quently heard  in  Utah,  "That  it  was 
necessary  for  the  prophets  and  mem- 
bers of  the  church  to  lie  in  the  days 
of  Nauvoo,"  I  quote  a  few  extracts 
from  the  words  of  God. 

"  He  that  overcome th  shall  inherit  all  things, 
and  I  will  be  his  God  and  he  shall  be  my  son. 
But  the  fearful,  and  unbelieving,  and  the 
abominable,  and  murderers,  and  whoremongers, 
and  sorcerers,  and  idolaters,  and  ah1  liars  shall 
have  their  part  in  the  lake  which  burneth 
with  fire  and  brimstone,  which  is  the  second 
death.  [Speaking  of  the  Holy  City,]  And 
there  shah1  in  no  wise  enter  into  it,  anything 
that  defileth;  neither  whatsoever  worketh 
abomination,  or  maketh  a  ft'e,  but  they  which 
are  written  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life." — Rev. 
xxi.  7,  8,  27. 

"  "Wo  unto  the  liar,  for  he  shall  be  thrust 
down  into  hell.  "Wo  unto  the  murderer  who 
deliberately  killeth,  for  he  shall  die.  "Wo  un- 
to them  who  commit  whoredoms  for  they  shall 
be  thrust  down  to  hell.  Yea,  wo  unto  those 
that  worship  idols,  for  the  devil  of  all  devils 
delighteth  in  them." — 2  Book  of  Nephi,  par.  12. 

Book  of  Covenants,  sec.  42,  par.  7, 
(old  edition  13.) 

"  And  again,  I  say,  thou  shalt  not  kill,  but 
he  that  killeth  shall  die.  Thou  shalt  not  steal, 
and  he  that  stealeth  and  will  not  repent  shall 
be  cast  out.  Thou  shalt  not  lie,  he  that  lieth 
and  will  not  repent  shall  be  cast  out." 

And  from  these  testimonies  we  con- 
clude there  is  no  justification  for  the 
liar  in  the  laws  of  God;  and  if  some 
have,  as  they  assert,  a  priesthood  that 
justifies  them  in  lying,  they  never  re- 
ceived it  of  God,  but  from  the  devil 
who  is  the  father  of  all  liars. 

Now  may  God  save  this  people  from 
this  great  plague  spot  that  cankers  and 
corrodes  the  soul,  alienates  it  from  God 
and  fits  it  only  for  Satan's  kingdom  is 
the  prayer  of  the  author. 


.PRINTED  AT  THE  TRUB  LATTER  DAY  SAINTS'  HERALD  OFFICE. 


No.  4. 


EPITOME    OF    THE    FAITH    AXD    DOCTRIIJS 


REORGANIZED  CHURCH  OP  JESUS  CHRIST  OP  LATTER  DAY  SAINTS. 


Published  by  the  Reorganized  Church  of  Jesus  Christ,  at  Lamoni,  Decatur  County,  Iowa. 


We  believe  in  God  the  Eternal  Father,  aud  j 
in  hia  Son  Jesus  Cnrist,  and  in  the  Holy  Ghost. 
Matt.  28: 19.     1  John  1 :  3.     St.  John  11 :  26.  j 

We  believe  that  men  will  be  punished  for 
their  >wn  sins,  and  not  for  Adam's  transgres- 
sion. Ecc.  12  : 14.  Matt.  16 :  27.  1  Cor.  3 :  13. 
Rev.  20:12-15. 

We  believe  that  through  the  atonement  of 
Christ,  all  men  may  be  saved  by  obedience  to 
the  laws  and  ordinances  of  the  gospel.  1  Cor. 
15:3.  2  Tim.  1 :  10.  Rom.  8 :  1-6. 

We  believe  that  these  ordinances  are : — 

(1st).  Faith  in  God  and  in  the  Lord  Jesua 
thrist.  Heb.  11:6.  1  Pet  1:21.  1  Tim.  4: 10. 
John  3: 16, 13,36.  Mark  11:  22.  John  14:1. 

(2d).  Repentance.  Matt  3:  2,  8, 11.  Luke 
13:3;  24:47.  Ezek.  18:30.  Mark  1 :  5,  15. 
Acts  2:38.  Rom.  2:4.  2  Cor.  7 :  10. 

(3d).  Baptism  by  immersion  for  the  remis- 
sion of  sins.  Matt.  3 :  13-15.  Mark  1 :  4,  5. 
Luke  3 :  3.  John  3 :  5.  Acts  2 :  38-  22 : 16; 
2:41;  8:12,37,38.  Mark  16: 16.  Col.  2:12. 
Rom.  6 :  4,  5.  John  3 :  23.  Acts  8 :  38,  39. 

(4th).  Laying  on  of  hands  for  the  gift  oi 
the  Holy  Ghost.  Deut.  34:  9.  John  20 :  21, 
22.  Acts  8:17;  19:6.  1  Tim.  4:14.  Acts 
9:17.  1  Cor.  12:3.  Acts  19:  1-6. 

(5th).  We  believe  in  the  Resurrection  of 
the  Body;  that  the  dead  in  Christ  will  rise 
first,  and  the  rest  of  the  dead  will  not  live 
again  until  the  thousand  years  are  expired. 
Job  19:  25,  26.  Dan.  12:2.  1  Cor.  15:42. 
lThes.4:16.  Rev.  20:6.  Acts  17:  31.  Phil. 
3:21.  John  11:  24  Isa.  26:19.  Ps.  17  : 15. 

(6th).  We  believe  ia  the  doctrine  of  Eter- 
nal Judgment,  which  provides  that  men  shall 
be  judged,  rewarded,  or  punished,  according 
to  the  degree  of  good,  or  evil,  they  shall  have 
done.  Rev.  20:12.  Ecc.  3:  17.  Matt.  16: 
27.  2  Cor.  5:10.  2  Pet.  2:  4,  13,  17. 

We  believe  that  a  man  must  be  Called  of 
God,  and  ordained  by  the  Laying  on  of  Hands 
of  those  who  are  in  authority,  to  entitle  him 
to  preach  the  Gospel,  and  Administer  in  the 
Ordinances  thereof.  Heb.  5 :  1, 5, 6, 8.  Acts 
1:24,25;  14:23.  Eph.4:ll.  John  15: 16. 

We  believe  in  the  same  kind  of  organiza- 
tion that  existed  in  the  primitive  church, 
riz:  Apostles,  Prophets,  Pastors,  Teachers, 
Kvangelist,  &c.  1  Cor.  12:  28.  Matt.  10:  1. 
Acts  6:  4.  Eph.  4:11;  2:20.  Titus  1:5. 

We  believe  that  in  the  Bible  is  contained 
the  word  of  God,  so  far  as  it  is  translated  cor- 
jectly.  We  believe  that  the  canon  of  scrip- 
ture is  not  full,  but  that  God,  by  His  Spirit, 
will  oontinue  to  reveal  Hia  word  to  man  until 


the  end  of  time.  Job  32:  8.  Heb.  13:  8, 
Prov.  29:  18.  Amos  3:  7.  Jei,  23:  4;  31; 
31,  34;  33:  6.  Ps.  85:10, 11.  Luke  17:  26* 
Rev.  14:  6,  7;  19:  10. 

We  believe  in  the  powers  and  gifts  of  thr 
everlasting  gospel,  viz :  the  gift  of  faith,  dis- 
cerning of  spirits,  prophecy,  revelation,  heal- 
ing, visions,  tongues,  and  the  interpretation  of 
tongues,  wisdom,  charity,  brotherly  love,  &c. 
1  Cor.  12:  1-11;  14:  26.  John  14:  24. 
Acts  2 :  3.  Matt  28  :  19,  20.  Mark  16:  16. 

We  believe  that  Marriage  is  ordained  of 
God;  and  that  the  law  of  God  provides  for 
but  one  companion  in  wedlock,  for  either  man 
or  woman,  except  in  cases  where  the  contract 
of  marriage  is  broken  by  death  or  transgres- 
sion. Gen.  2:  18,  21-24;  7 :  1,  7,  13.  Prov. 
5:  15-21.  Mai.  2:  14,15.  Matt.  19:  4-6, 
lCor.7:2.  Heb.l3:4.  D.&C.42  :  7;  49:  3. 

We  believe  that  the  doctrines  of  a  plurality 
and  a  community  of  wives  are  heresies,  and 
are  opposed  to  the  law  of  God.  Gen.  4:  19, 
23,  24;  7:9;  22 :  2,  in  connection  Gal.  4th 
and  5th  c.  Gen.  21  :  8-10.  Mai.  2:  14,  15. 
Matt.  19 :  3-9.  The  BOOK  OF  MORMON  says : 
— "Wherefore,  my  brethren,  hear  me,  and 
hearken  to  the  word  of  the  Lord:  For  there 
shall  not  any  man  among  you  have  save  it  be 
ONE  WIFE,  and  concubines  he  shall  have 
none,  for  I,  the  Lord  God,  delighteth  in  the 
chastity  of  women.  And  whoredoms  are  an 
abomination  before  me,  saith  the  Lord  €€ 
hosts."— Jacob  2 :  6-9. 

We  believe  that  in  all  matters  of  contro* 
versy  upon  the  duty  of  man  toward  God,  and. 
in  reference  to  preparation  and  fitness  for  the 
world  to  come,  the  word  of  God  should  be 
decisive  and  the  end  of  dispute;  and  that 
when  God  directs,  man  should  obey. 

We  believe  that  the  religion  of  Jesua 
Christ,  as  taught  in  the  New  Testament  Scrip-  < 
tures,  will,  if  its  precepts  are  accepted  and 
obeyed,  make  men  and  women  better  in  the 
domestic  circle,  and  better  citizens  of  town, 
county  and  state,  and  consequently  better  fit- 
ted for  the  change  which  cometh  at  death. 

We  believe  that  men  should  worship  God 
in  "Spirit  and  in  truth;"  and  that  such  wor- 
ship does  not  require  a  violation  of  the  con« 
stitutional  law  of  the  land.  John  4:  21-24. 
Doctrine  and  Covenants,  sec.  58,  par.  5. 

We  claim  the  privilege  of  worshiping 
Almighty  God  according  to  the  dictates  of 
our  conscience,  allow  all  men  the  same  privi- 
lege,  let  them  worship  how,  where,  or  whafc 
they  may. 


Come  and  Hear  the  Gospel  in  its  Fulness  and  Purity,  at 


